A new addition to the UMass Dartmouth campus opens today that will further foster opportunity for creativity and ingenuity across disciplines. The ribbon cutting ceremony for the Innovation, Design, Engineering and Art Studio (IDEAStudio) took place yesterday at 4 p.m.

"The name of this new space speaks directly to us--the IDEAStudio, an acronym for Innovation, Design, Engineering, and Art Studio. Thank you to Chip Hildreth '85 and Sue Hall '85, our proud alumni, who have worked together with our deans, faculty, students, and staff for two years to bring this project to fruition," said Chancellor Divina Grossman. "We are grateful for the opportunity that this space will provide to our students and the creativity and ingenuity it will unleash across all disciplines on our campus. We are grateful to both of you for your vision and generosity in making this possible."

The studio will be a common work space for engineering and art students to work on projects and innovative research, generating creative solutions to today's complex design question. The creation of this studio allows students to gain experience in and make contributions not only in their own field, but work collaboratively with other students in differently areas of study.

"The IDEAStudio is another example of UMass Dartmouth's commitment to growing a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship," said Dr. Robert Peck, Dean of the College of Engineering. "Undergraduate and graduate students will build a strong sense of collaboration and creativity in expressing their ideas and will work with and support others to accomplish the same."

The goal for the studio is to foster an environment of artistic and inventive collaboration among undergraduate and graduate students from the eight colleges to produce art, products, processes, services, and research that goes beyond traditional approaches.

"Bringing together artists and engineers in a common work environment can only benefit their studies and passions," said Adrian Tio, Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts. "It is because of hard work and a commitment to make this studio a reality that the solutions to today's complex design questions will happen here at UMass Dartmouth."

Susan Hall '85 MA, MFA graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Art Education from the College of Visual and Performing Arts. She is an art educator, expressive arts therapist, writer, artist, and proud mother of two children. Sue works to foster growth and healing through the creative expressive process with students and clients in educational and clinical settings. Her own art and writing is an inherent dialogue between nature, self, and community.

"I'm hopeful the IDEAStudio will be a space to provide the social expression of creativity and collaboration," said Sue Hall. "I look forward to seeing what great people and great works come from students in this creative space."

Norman "Chip" Hildreth '85 graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the College of Engineering. He is an engineer, executive, avid outdoorsman, and proud father of two college graduates. As Vice President of Engineering & Business Development for Hittite Microwave Corporation he manages innovation and new RF and microwave IC product development at design centers around the world.

"I believe this studio is the beginning of something even bigger," said Chip Hildreth. "Artists and engineers work together in the real world and this collaborative approach must be encouraged sooner. If we get students to cross over to other disciplines, they can start the collaborative movement and we can watch it spread across campus."

The IDEAStudio will have state-of-the-art-lab equipment, including a 3D printer, providing students modern space and materials for new kinds of research and discovery. The IDEAStudio at UMass Dartmouth was created with the help of the university's deans, alumni, faculty, students, and staff to encourage and support multidisciplinary avenues for all students.